Comments on: What is this hatchling turtle?

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:25:10 +0000

Thanks, Matthew. Your posts are great. The size of the tail on the adult in the second link is impressive. Remarkable growth when you see the tiny oh-s-vulnerable hatchlings.

By: mthew

mthew — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:39:59 +0000

I missed this post initially. That serrated edge to the carapace is the give-away. None of our other turtles have those dinosaur-points. Here are a couple shots of ones I’ve come across: baby http://matthewwills.com/2012/06/15/lil-snapper/
adult http://matthewwills.com/2010/05/08/field-notes-snapping-turtle/

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 01:17:58 +0000

Thanks for the reply! He is a snapper, and I have since found Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons that cares for turtles all over long Island and even, I believe, NYC. The number, in case any readers need it, is 631-779-3737. What they recommend with such a tiny turtle is to put it in a tupperware with a little water and bring it to them. They woul dhave kept it through the winter to give it a headstart, then release it in the spring. They will also come pick up a turtle anywhere on Long Island, if you can’t bring it to them. I’ll be writing a post about them soon.

By: fremont110293

fremont110293 — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:42:01 +0000

As for identifying the young fellow – other than saying he is adorable I haven’t a clue, Sorry. But what would I have done?I think I would have placed him on the shoulder of the road in whatever direction he seemed to have been travelling. Well, not on the shoulder – further in the brush
Pra.ying for him.

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:19:41 +0000

Thanks, Margot!

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:19:14 +0000

Great idea, Mark, although I think the i.d. as a snapper is now clear. I’m delighted to know about http://www.inaturalist.org & look forward to exploring it.

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:16:03 +0000

Thank you, retrieverman. What happened to your snapper in a fish tank?

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:15:16 +0000

Thanks so much for the informative reply, Barbara, and the link to that amazing video. The little snappers emerging from the eggs look exactly like my little guy. I had no idea snappers were endangered in Canada. I worried that the hatchling needed to be in water, so am relieved to hear you say that it may just dig in and survive the winter. It’s not far at all to the brackish Mecox Bay, but this little guy was so tiny that even a short distance seems like a marathon.

I looked for it this morning, but can’t find it. Am hoping that means it’s safely ensconced.

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:08:44 +0000

Good advice. I actually didn’t move it far from where I found it, but into a far more protected spot.

By: margot truini

margot truini — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:06:04 +0000

Yep, baby snapper….very hardy and like Barbara says they are good at figuring out what they need. Good website..:D

By: Mark Wilkinson

Mark Wilkinson — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:59:12 +0000

I recommend putting it on inaturalist.org and asking for help with the ID

By: retrieverman

retrieverman — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:51:49 +0000

Yes. It’s a baby snapping turtle. I had one of that size in a fish tank for a few weeks.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:45:44 +0000

Definitely a baby snapper Mel, we used to have lots in Ontario, and they are remarkably hardy – if you leave it where it is and it can dig into the dirt it will likely hibernate there for the winter. They live on all kinds of insects, worms etc… it will find what it needs… late in the season for this wee thing though – boy it’s tiny… amazing that you found it. here is a website that is filled with information – http://www.incredibleworld.ca/index.php/incrediblespecies/snappingturtle
These creatures are an endangered species in Canada. They are as old as the dinosaurs as a species and cannot hide in their shells the way other turtles do. I’ve never seen one so small but have seen one about two and a half feet across, swimming in a freshwater lake – scared me silly. Good thing they’re shy in the water and swim away fast if approached.
Hope everyone has fun learning about this little guy -

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:35:24 +0000

Poor little turtle. I wonder what snapping turtle habitats look like….and if there was one near where you found it. I suppose that would be like looking for a needle in the bay, but (not knowing the area and if it hasn’t moved by tomorrow), I think I would take it back close to where I found it….please keep us up to date!

By: Out Walking the Dog

Out Walking the Dog — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:29:22 +0000

Thanks, Vlad. I still think snapper is most likely, and have since learned that they do sometimes live in brackish waters. Stay tuned…